The Kind Executioner: Of Z.A. Bhutto’s final moments

Pakistani-American writer Mumtaz Hussain’s script The Kind Executioner was shortlisted in the drama category amongst the official finalists of the Hollywood Screenplay Contest last week. Now, Hussain is ready to transform this script, which portrays the relationship between late Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and his executioner, into a movie.

Hussain says his project, which is in English, is a piece of fiction derived from the last years of Bhutto’s life. “I am delighted to learn that my script has been appreciated because I am working hard to make this film my singular achievement,” Hussain told APP. The writer hails from Jhang but has lived in New York for the past couple of years. The production will portray the relationship between the popular prime minister and his executioner Tara Masih, who believed Bhutto (executed in 1979) was a saviour of Pakistan. The script, which was evaluated by a team of writers and experts, is said to be intense in terms of both its dialogue and drama. The Kind Executioner will be an attempt to cinematically answer questions in the audience’s mind by symbolism, and Hussain is confident that the average Pakistani, who doesn’t really have an interest in history or politics, will be able to enjoy it. He promises it will be meaningful, with unique transformations and expressions. He did not disclose too many details as he is keen on preserving the audience’s curiosity till the project is ready for release. Hussain has held several exhibitions as a modern artist and has also published a collection of short stories in Urdu. The winning scripts of the Hollywood Screenplay Contest, the body that has shortlisted Hussain’s film, the winning scripts are forwarded to several leading production companies and literary agencies. The screenplays are scored and evaluated on a multi-point scale with criteria including concept, structure, plot, pacing, character, dialogue, style, theme and marketability.